Girldon Howard Ross, 85, of Waverly, Ohio left this earth to forever live in The Kingdom of Heaven "God's Kingdom". She made her journey to Heaven on April 22, 2023. Girldon left us in peace and love surrounded by her loved ones. Girldon was born on July 11, 1937 in the beautiful rolling hills of Rock Lick, Magoffin County in Kentucky. She is the daughter of the late Jasper Howard and Decie Montgomery. The granddaughter of the late Leck Howard and Eliza Jane Adkins and the late Chester Montgomery and Minta Phipps. All which she loved dearly.

On February 20, 1954 at the young age of sixteen, Girldon was united in love and marriage to our beloved Mitchell Darrel Ross who survives. Mitchell being a native of Flat Gap, Johnson County in Kentucky. He is the son of the late Mitchell E. Ross and Esta Boggs. Also surviving are two children, Darrel Wayne Ross of Waverly and Melody Lynne Ross of Londonderry; two grandchildren, Jamie Lea Anderson of Jackson, Ohio and Brandon Keith Ross of Chillicothe, Ohio; three great grandchildren, Austin, Dylan and Reshaun; a brother, Chester Howard and a sister, Minta Jane Howard; two uncles, John Howard and Skid Montgomery; three aunts, Magoleane Montgomery Detillion, Vertie Montgomery Howard and Verlie Montgomery Snyder and special friend Joyce and Daryl Owens. In addition to her parents and grandparents, Girldon was preceded in death by three younger siblings, Dorothy, Shelia and Baby Howard.

Girldon was not only a mother to Darrel Wayne and Melody Lynne, but she was a helping mother figure to Minta Jane, Chester and Jamie Lea and Brandon Keith. She was a women who many would look toward for life's questions that only a mother would know how to answer with love and wisdom. She loved her family and close friends more than anything.

Girldon retired from Waverly City Schools with 45 years of service. She was a member of the Straight Creek United Enterprise Church along with many of her other relatives. It was the place she met the love of her life Mitchell. She was a woman of honesty, integrity and compassion for ones closest to her heart.

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee year, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

Graveside services will be 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Evergreen Union Cemetery on Denver Road. Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Waverly.

www.botkinhornbackfuneralhomes.com